When Ed Cooley was hired from Fairfield as Providence’s new head coach, there were some questions regarding his ability to recruit top-flight talent.

Those concerns will be alleviated on Wednesday, as sources have told CBSSports.com that Kris Dunn will announce for Providence over Connecticut.

Dunn, the No. 1 point guard in CBSSports.com’s 2012 rankings, will be on the Friars’ campus on Wednesday. He recently trimmed his list to Providence and UConn, with Louisville and Marquette among the main schools left off his list.

Dunn is a 6-foot-3 New London (Conn.) product who was one of the fastest-rising players on the spring and summer AAU circuit. He has great size for the position, and his explosiveness is unparalleled in the class. Dunn can get by his defender at will, penetrating into the teeth of the defense and making plays for himself and teammates.

His commitment does wonders for Providence, which is also pursuing several other marquee players. Chief among them is Ricardo Ledo, who cut his list to five earlier this week and will likely take an unofficial visit to Providence on Wednesday.

Well, it’s just Jeff Borzello and I this week in this space – since Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander are out gallivanting somewhere.

That means, well, I’m going to have to try and pick it up a bit cause Borzello is busy with recruiting news and also trying to pick out a new wardrobe (I hope).

Anyway, here’s the Big East Offseason Report to get things started:

Big East Offseason Report

Cincinnati – The Bearcats will play in the Global Sports Shootout along with Marshall, Alabama State, Jacksonville State and Northwestern State. Mick Cronin’s team also has a non-league slate that includes contests at Georgia (12-2), at Xavier (12-10) and against Oklahoma.

Connecticut – Andre LaFleur left for Providence and Glen Miller was bumped up from director of basketball operations. Former GW head coach Karl Hobbs was brought on as the director of basketball administration. The defending champs will play in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas (Nov. 23-27) and also have non-league games vs. Arkansas (12-3), vs. Harvard (12-7), vs. Fairfield (12-22) and at Tennessee (1-21). Jamal Coombs-McDaniel transferred to Hofstra.

DePaul – The Blue Demons will head to France from Aug, 11-21. Josh Postorino left for Georgia Tech and Andy Farrell was promoted to take his spot as the director of basketball operation. Matt Fleming is the new video coordinator. Oliver Purnell’s team will play in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando and its top non-conference game is at home against Ole Miss (12-1) in the Big East/SEC challenge. Mike Bizoukas (Missouri ) transferred out and freshman Shane Larkin left prior to the start of the season. Donnavan Kirk is eligible this season after transferring from Miami and sitting out last year.

Georgetown – The Hoyas brought former assistant Kevin Broadus back as a special assistant and also added former star big man Othella Harrington in some sort of role. John Thompson III & Co. will travel to China on Aug. 13 and will also play in the Maui Invitational. Georgetown has non-league games at Alabama (12-1) and at home against Memphis (12-22). Jerrelle Benimon (Towson) and Vee Sanford (Dayton) both left the program.

Louisville – Rick Pitino’s staff has a different look. Ralph Willard retired, Steve Masiello got the head job at Manhattan and Tim Fuller left after just one season for Missouri. Pitino brought his son, Richard, back from Florida – and added Kevin Keatts (Hargrave Military Academy) and Wyking Jones (New Mexico). Mark Lieberman is now the director of basketball operations. The Cardinals are heading to the Bahamas from Aug. 10-14 and have a non-league slate that includes games at Butler (11-19), against Vanderbilt (12-2), vs. Memphis(12-17) and at Kentucky (12-31). George Goode (Missouri) left while Luke Hancock (George Mason) transferred in and will sit out this season.

Marquette – The Golden Eagles will play in the Paradise Jam and also face Washington (12-6) in the Jimmy V Classic in NYC. Buzz Williams’ team will also play at Wisconsin (12-3), at LSU (12-19) and against Vanderbilt (12-29) at home in the non-conference schedule. Eric Williams (Sam Houston State) left the program and Jamil Wilson is eligible this season after sitting out last year following transferring in from Oregon.

Notre Dame – The Irish will play in the CBE Classic, will play Maryland (12-4) in the BT&T Classic and will also play Indiana (12-17) in the Crossroad Classic in Indianapolis. Mike Brey’s team will also face Gonzaga (11-30) at home in the non-league slate. Garrick Sherman (Michigan State) will sit out this season after transferring into the program.

Pittsburgh – Pat Skerry left to become the head coach at Towson and was replaced by Bill Barton (Marshall). The Panthers will play in the Hoop Group Classic (11-25/26) and also have a non-league game at Tennessee (12-3). J.J. Richardson transferred to Houston.

Providence – Ed Cooley brought Bob Simon and Brian Blaney with him from Fairfield and added Andre Lafleur (UConn). The final spot is now open after Carmen Maciariello left for BU. The Friars are in the South Padre Invitational and have non-conference games at South Carolina (12-1) and at home against BC (12-8). Duke Mondy and Dre Evans both left the program.

Rutgers – The Scarlet Knights will play in the Cancun Challenge (11-23/24) and also have non-league games at Miami (11-15), against LSU (12-3) and against Florida (12-29). Wally Judge transferred in from Kansas State and will sit out this season.

Seton Hall – Kevin Willard’s team will play in the Charleston Classic (11/17-20) and also have non-league games against Auburn (12-2), Wake Forest (12-10) and at Dayton (12-21). Anali Okoloji (George Mason) left the program while Brian Oliver (Georgia Tech) and Gene Teague (Southern Illinois) both transferred in.

St. John’s – The Red Storm will play in the Coaches vs. Cancer event in NYC on Nov. 17-18 and also have non-conference games at Kentucky (12-1) and against UCLA (2-18) at home. Dwayne Polee II transferred to San Diego State.

South Florida – Steve Roccaforte, the former head coach at Lamar, takes the spot of Jeremy Cox. The Bulls will play in the Hall of Fame Classic (11-19/20) and have non-league games at VCU (11-30), at Auburn (12-15) and at Kansas (1-3). Mike Burwell (Towson) and Shedrick Haynes both transferred out of the program.

Syracuse – Former Orange guard Adrian Autry (Virginia Tech) took the spot vacated when Rob Murphy got the head job at Eastern Michigan. Syracuse will play in the Preseason NIT and also has non-league games at N.C. State (12-17) and vs. Florida (12-2). Dashonte Riley left and transferred back home to Eastern Michigan.

Villanova – The Wildcats already left on a trip to France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands and will return on Aug. 16. Jay Wright’s staff had some movement as Chris Walker (Texas Tech) and Keith Urgo (Penn State) both left and were replaced by a couple of familiar faces: Doug West and Billy Lange (head coach at Navy). ‘Nova will play in the 76 Classic in Anaheim and the Wildcats have a non-league game at Temple on Dec. 10.

West Virginia – Bob Huggins’ team just left on a trip to Italy and will return on Aug. 21. Jerrod Calhoun was promoted to an assistant coach and Billy Hahn was reassigned to the assistant to the head coach. The Mountaineers will play in the Las Vegas Classic (12-22/23) and have non-league contests at Mississippi State (12-3), against Kansas State in Wichita (12-8) and vs. Miami (12-11). Dalton Pepper (Temple) and Dan Jennings (Long Beach State) both transferred out while Juwan Staten (Dayton) and Aaric Murray (La Salle) came into the program. Kevin Noreen (BC) is eligible to play this season after sitting out last year.

Who knows when the Providence Friars will get good, but they sure should be relevant in a hurry under Ed Cooley.

The new Friars coach, who grew up in Rhode Island, is not wasting any time in dreaming big and making promises for a program that's been down for the better part of two decades. Cooley told Kevin McNamara of the Providence Journal that he wants the team's first game next fall to be a sellout. For a team like Providence, that's aiming high, considering the Friars play at the Dunkin' Donuts center, an arena with a capacity of 13,106 that often struggles to fill up half that number for non-conference games.

“I’d like to coach my first game as coach at Providence College in front of a sold-out building,” he said. “That’s my goal. We can do that.”

Cooley did not reveal who the opening night opponent will be, but rest assured it won’t be North Carolina, Kentucky or anything like a nationally ranked foe. Judging from previous PC slates, an opponent from the Ivy or Northeast Conference is more likely.

“We are changing the culture here at Providence and I know as an opponent coming into that arena so many times over the years that when the Dunk is filled, it’s a tough place to play. That’s what we’re after for every game,” he said.

"The Dunk." Cooley knows the audience he's speaking to. The locals will love him, win or lose, in the first season. After that, the pressure tightens.

Back to the goal at hand. Cooley wants to pack the joint against a Quinnipiac, Brown or Central Connecticut? Yeah, that's going to be particularly tough, but at least he's showing his passion and optimism early. I witnessed firsthand how Cooley can get a local fan base riled up in a great way. On Senior Night at Fairfield in March, the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard (where Fairfield plays) filled with students and fans, special shirts designed and a plethora of handmade, funny signs.

Before and after the game, Cooley thanked the fans and students, and there was genuine love in his heart for what he'd built up there. (By that time, Cooley probably deduced his exit plan had already begun.) Cooley will again beseech the student body, insisting the faction of teenager and early-20s supporters to come out for every game to watch games for the home team that's on the court every time -- not make a decision based on the opponent coming into town.

BRONX, N.Y. -- When Ricardo Ledo is on top of his game, there's not a better scorer in the country.

However, it's his inconsistency that has prevented him from breaking into the top-five players in 2012. That was clearly on display this weekend at the Rumble in the Bronx, when Ledo lit up the scoreboard on Friday night – only to turn around and struggle immensely Saturday morning. He was scoreless for most of the early game, with his only points coming on a few late 3-pointers.

Despite his up-and-down play at times, Ledo still ranks near the top of his class. With his combination of size and skill, he's essentially unguardable.

Ledo is confident about his standing nationally.

"I think I'm the best guard in the country," he said. "I can do so many things."

At 6-foot-6, the Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) product has the ability to see over most opposing guards. He can handle the ball well, has a very good mid-range game and can also shoot from deep. Ledo can post up smaller guards and demonstrates great body control when knocking in tough shots. He has a great first step and uses his length to finish effectively at the rim.

Ledo, who plays on the AAU circuit with Expressions Elite and the Albany City Rocks, admits he has things to work on.

"My all-around game needs to get better," he said, pointing to defense as his major weakness.

As for recruiting, the former Providence commit is taking his time wading through the myriad colleges currently courting him.

Kentucky, Syracuse, Providence and Connecticut are the four currently standing out for Ledo, but Texas, Florida, Arizona and Maryland are also heavily involved.

"I want to go somewhere I can win," he said. "Playing time is also important."

If Ledo develops consistency, though, he will likely find getting playing time won't be much of a problem.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Some players rest on their laurels after rising up rankings and becoming high-major recruits.

Andrew White is not one of them.

“I now have to prove I’m as good as advertised,” White said last weekend at the Tournament of Champions.

White parlayed an impressive winter and spring into a top-100 ranking by many services, and the 6-foot-6 small forward from The Miller School (Va.) is making sure it stays that way.

He put his reputation on the line against fellow 2012 prospect T.J. Warren at the Ravenscroft School (N.C.) last week.

“I heard he played the same position as me, so I was looking forward to it,” White said. “It’s good to have the top players. It’s good to matchup with someone as good or better than you.”

While White struggled to defend Warren and also faded somewhat in the second half, his complete skill-set was on display.

His size and athleticism makes him a difficult matchup on the offensive end, as he runs the floor extremely well and attacks the basket with a purpose. White is improving his outside jumper, and is highly-effective with his mid-range game.

Since reclassifying to 2012, White has seen his recruitment skyrocket from mostly mid-majors to a smattering of schools at a variety of levels. He mentioned George Mason, Old Dominion, Connecticut, Virginia Tech, North Carolina State, Boston College, Providence, Utah, BYU and South Florida.

“I’m wide open,” White said.

While he holds at least 15 offers, he is still very motivated to make sure everyone knows he can compete at the highest level.

“Some schools passed up on me in 2011,” White said. “I’ve got to show I’m worthy of a place like that.”

RALEIGH, N.C. – For Sam Mader, there are positives and negatives to being on a team with North Carolina-commit J.P. Tokoto, Wisconsin-bound Sam Dekker and 2013 stud Bronson Koenig.

“I do feel like I get overshadowed,” Mader said. “But it’s a team game, and they’re great players. I still feel like I get looks, because people are coming to games. It doesn’t affect me.”

Mader, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Appleton East (Wisc.), made his presence known over the weekend at the Tournament of Champions. He is a good high- and low-post big man, with the ability to pass to teammates from the free-throw line or make plays around the rim with his back to the basket. Mader has good hands and makes himself available with good positioning.

Several high-majors – like Minnesota, Northwestern, Oregon State and Stanford – have shown interest in Mader in the past, but he mentioned five schools last Friday.

UW-Milwaukee and UW-Green Bay have offered him, while Ball State and Drake are showing plenty of interest. Mader wants to take a visit to Northern Illinois.

“I want to make a decision in August,” he said.

Jordan Scott taking his time

One of the more underrated teams at the Tournament of Champions last weekend was the Colorado Chaos. Despite having two high-major commits in Josh Scott (Colorado) and Kaileb Rodriguez (California), not many people knew about this team.

A player who made people take notice was Jordan Scott. A 6-foot-5 forward, Scott knows how to finish around the rim and plays well in transition. He is also a very good defender and can guard multiple positions.

For now, the Lewis-Palmer (Colo.) product is hearing from Colorado, Air Force, Denver and Arizona.

Despite standing just 5-foot-4, Shawnta Rogers terrorized the Atlantic-10 for three years in the late 90s, averaging 20.7 points in his final season at George Washington.

Now, he has a son who is looking to continue that reputation.

Terrell Rogers, a 5-foot-8 guard from Indiana Land (S.C.), impressed with his scoring ability at the Tournament of Champions. He is supremely quick with the ball and has an ability to get into the lane and finish against bigger players. Rogers adjusts his body well to avoid getting blocked.

The rising senior said he is hearing from Clemson, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Florida Atlantic, Florida State, Providence and Charleston.

“Not yet,” Rogers said when asked about a decision. “At the end of the summer.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Because of a flight delay, the Dwight Howard Warriors did not arrive at Ravenscroft School (N.C.) until nearly 10 p.m. last Friday at the Tournament of Champions. Despite the late tip time, there were still plenty of media and scouts in attendance, with many staying to watch Solomon Poole, one of the top-25 players in the class of 2013.

As the game went on, and Poole continued to miss outside shots, people began to question his ranking. With the clock winding down, though, Poole reminded everyone why he is so highly touted.

Down one to the Charlotte Nets, Poole put up a stepback jumper that splashed through the net as time expired. That one play demonstrated his quickness, strength and scoring ability, and how tough he is to stop when it all comes together.

It might have been enough to make people forget his early struggles.

“I just focused,” Poole said of the way he bounced back. “I knew I had to keep going. I knew my teammates would pick me up.”

Poole, a 6-foot-1 combo guard from Terry Parker (Fla.), is the younger brother of Kentucky’s Stacey Poole and the son of former Florida standout Stacey Poole Sr. The basketball bloodlines are hard to miss when gauging Poole’s natural talent. He is a big-time scorer who finishes tremendously well in traffic and controls his body effectively in the lane. Poole can beat his man off the dribble and is strong enough to pull-up in the mid-range against defenders. While inconsistent from 3-point range, Poole does have range behind the arc.

Because of his size, though, Poole might have to play the one at the next level, and he knows it.

“I need to work on my pace,” he said. “I need to work on changing speeds.”

A long list of schools are courting the talented sophomore. Poole and his AAU coach, Antwain Tennell, rattled off offers from local schools Central Florida and South Florida, as well as Georgia Tech and South Carolina. Providence, North Carolina, Arizona, Memphis, Florida and Oklahoma State are all showing interest.

Decision time is a long way away for Poole, but he knows what he’s looking for in a school.

“First, academics. You can’t get anywhere without that,” Poole said. “And a coach that makes you better. I want him to tell me what I’m doing wrong.”

Based on the way he makes adjustments during the game, though, it seems Poole is getting by just fine on his own.

With a new coaching staff on board, Providence needed all the experience it could get for next season. The Friars have no seniors, and now one of their three rising juniors is gone.

Duke Mondy, a guard from Michigan, has been released from his scholarship.

“It’s a mess,” said one source with knowledge of the situation.

Mondy had been in trouble in the past. He was involved in an incident last April that resulted in teammates Johnnie Lacy and James Still being charged with felony assault. This past season, Mondy did not play in the final four games of the season for undisclosed reasons.

Another source said Mondy’s multiple discipline problems at Providence were the key in his departure.

“He found himself in another couple of situations he shouldn’t have been in,” the source said.